Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Imall Infantry Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate (Co. Wicklow) c1796-1814. An extremely fine and rare example of oval outline in copper gilt, the engraved design displays the crown over the ‘GR’ cypher with ‘Imall’ above and ‘Infantry’ below, one hook and two stud fasteners, the hook with contemporary solder repair, slight gilt loss otherwise very fine condition £1,500-£2,000

Michael Dwyer (1772-1825), a noted Irish Rebel, and one of the leaders of the Irish 1798 Rebellion, was born at Camara, Glen Imall, County Wicklow, and was commanding a group of Irish rebels who found themselves surrounded in Derrynamuck Cottage, Glen Imall, by British troops. Samuel McAllister, one of the rebels, drew fire on himself to allow Dwyer to escape. At this time Glen Imall was a very desolate area, resulting in the Imall Infantry having few members, and even fewer officers. Consequently, it is possible that this Shoulder Belt Plate belonged to a member of the unit that took part in the fighting around Derrynamuck Cottage.